NEEPAWA, Man. — From farm to fork, a lot of food is lost along the journey. A recently released study found that close to 60 percent of food produced in Canada is wasted. Not only was the sheer amount surprising, so too was the source of that waste. Previously, consumers were believed to be the major contributors to food waste, but that might not be the case.

While previous research has looked into food waste in Canada, it hasn’t been able to examine the problem throughout the production chain, instead, relying on estimates. This report, called the Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste, was able to work with companies along the value chain to get accurate measures of food waste, in weight. They were also able to interview more than 700 food industry experts to better understand why food never makes it to consumers’ plates. The study’s lead author was Martin Gooch, the chief executive of Value Chain Management International, who has authored other studies on this topic, including those that previously found consumers to be responsible for most food waste. Second Harvest, a food charity, partnered with Gooch on the study.

Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor, right, and nutritionist Jessica Cole look over samples of some of the food groups at the unveiling of Canada’s new Food Guide, Tuesday, January 22, 2019 in Montreal. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz)

OTTAWA — Drink more water and eat more plants, Canada’s new food guide says, doing away with the traditional food groups and serving counts familiar to generations of students in health classes across the land.

The food-guide facelift unveiled Tuesday, the first in 12 years, reflects a new approach by Health Canada aimed at promoting healthier eating and lifestyle choices, rather than emphasizing serving sizes and specific foods.

News Highlights

NAV Canada air traffic controllers monitor air traffic at the NAV Canada control centre in Montreal on March 2, 2018. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)

MONTREAL — Canadian air traffic controllers have bought hundreds of pizzas for their American counterparts over the past few days in what has become an industry-wide show of support during the U.S. government’s partial shutdown.

Peter Duffey, the head of the Canadian Air Traffic Control Association, said the initiative began Thursday when employees at Edmonton’s control centre took up a collection to buy pies for controllers in Anchorage, Alaska.

Vegetables are on display at the Jean Talon Market on January 11, 2016 in Montreal. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson)

OTTAWA – An overhaul of the Canada Food Guide is set to be released soon, a highly anticipated makeover that will do away with the rainbow visual many Canadians associate with the dietary guide commonly used in hospitals and daycares.

One of the major changes expected in the new Food Guide is a focus on plant-based sources of proteins — a move that has sparked concern among industry players including the Dairy Farmers of Canada.

The move to join UFCW Local 832 comes after recent allegations of sexual harassment and assault within the popular Winnipeg chain. Two top executives have since been released from the restaurant and an HR firm was brought in to recommend operational and policy changes.

Richardson International Ltd. says it has an agreement with Conagra Brands Inc. to purchase cooking oil brand Wesson and a U.S. production facility for an undisclosed price. ConAgra products Pam and Wesson Oil are displayed at the Heinen’s grocery store in Bainbridge Twp., Ohio, on June 21, 2011. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Amy Sancetta)

WINNIPEG – Richardson International Ltd. says it has an agreement with Conagra Brands Inc. to purchase cooking oil brand Wesson and a U.S. production facility for an undisclosed price.

The privately held Winnipeg-based company says the acquisition reinforces the growth strategy for its food business and complements its position as a vertically integrated canola processor.